Maplewood Living

CITY’S OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

MAPLEWOOD LIVING FEBRUARY 2017

In This Issue 2 Maplewood Turns 60!

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Keep It Flowing City Summary Budget Engaging Business Community Councilmember Abrams Q&A

A Special Visit

Maplewood City Council Adopts 2017 Budget and Property Tax Levy The Maplewood City Council adopted the City’s operating and capital budget for 2017 on Dec. 12, 2016. The 2017 budget required a property tax levy of $20,738,833, which is 5% more than the 2016 property tax levy.

The increased property tax levy will fund inflationary increases, increased debt service payments, street and capital improvements, and several new initiatives.

It will also provide relief toward the deficit cash balances in the Ambulance Fund and the Community Center Fund.

New programs for 2017 include the purchase and implementation of police body cameras and storage of the data. Body and squad cameras will increase the overall effectiveness and transparency of police department operations. As part of an effort to decrease the incidence of domestic violence in Maplewood, the City will partner with Ramsey County to fund increased prosecution of offenders accused of domestic violence. A new comprehensive plan for the City will be developed in 2017 and 2018, which will guide the City’s planning and development for the next 30 years. The City will also reduce borrowing costs by financing the internal and administrative costs of road construction and capital costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Several capital improvements will be implemented in 2017. The Pond-Dorland and Hillwood-Crestview area streets will receive a combination of pavement rehabilitation and full reconstruction, including replacement of road pavement, installation/replacement of concrete curb and gutter, expansion of storm water facilities, and utility replacement and repairs.

- continued on page 5

Members of Maplewood’s Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Fire/EMS departments visited third graders in Alexa Griffith’s class at Edgerton Elementary on Jan. 6 to share details about their jobs.

State of the City 2017

Business leaders, elected officials and City staff came together Jan. 12 for the second annual State of the City luncheon. More than 150 people attended the event that was highlighted by an address from Mayor Nora Slawik.

During her remarks, Slawik noted there were five times during 2016 when she said to herself, “this is it, this is the best thing that has ever happened to our City.”

- continued on page 3

LIVING Elected Officials

Frequently Called Numbers

City Hall

(651) 249-2000 Nora Slawik: Mayor ........................................................(651) 738-7099 Maplewood Community Center (651) 249-2230 nora.slawik@maplewoodmn.gov Recreation

(651) 249-2120 Marylee Abrams: Councilmember ............................ (651) 249-2000

Public Works

(651) 249-2400 marylee.abrams@maplewoodmn.gov Police Non-Emergency (651) 767-0640 Kathleen Juenemann: Councilmember .................... (651) 771-3670

kathleen.juenemann@maplewoodmn.gov Visit the City website at www.maplewoodmn.gov for the Bryan Smith: Councilmember ................................... (651) 888-0085 meeting schedule of the City Council, Commissions and Boards. bryan.smith@maplewoodmn.gov MAPLEWOOD LIVING Tou Xiong: Councilmember ......................................... (651) 444-0531 To advertise in this newsletter call tou.xiong@maplewoodmn.gov Heidi Carey at (952) 212-7333 or email CITY’S OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2017

In This Issue 2 Maplewood Turns 60!

City Manager

heidi@careycommunications.org.

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Keep It Flowing

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Engaging Business Community

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City Summary Budget

Mayor’s Q&A

A Special Visit

Maplewood City Council Adopts 2017 Budget and Property Tax Levy

The Maplewood City Council adopted the City’s operating and capital budget for 2017 on December 12, 2016. The 2017 budget required a property tax levy of $20,738,833, which is 5% more than the 2016 property tax levy.

The increased property tax levy will fund inflationary increases, increased debt service payments, street and capital improvements, and several new initiatives.

It will also provide relief toward the deficit cash balances in the Ambulance Fund and the Community Center Fund.

New programs for 2017 include the purchase and implementation of police body cameras and storage of the data. Body and squad cameras will increase the overall effectiveness and transparency of police department operations. As part of an effort to decrease the incidence of domestic violence in Maplewood, the City will partner with Ramsey County to fund increased prosecution of offenders accused of domestic violence. A new comprehensive plan for the City will be developed in 2017 and 2018, which will guide the City’s planning and development for the next 30 years. The City will also reduce borrowing costs by financing the internal and administrative costs of road construction and capital costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Several capital improvements will be implemented in 2017. The Pond/Dorland and Hillwood-Crestview area streets will receive a combination of pavement rehabilitation and full reconstruction, including replacement of road pavement, installation/replacement of concrete curb and gutter, expansion of storm water facilities, and utility replacement and repairs.

- continued on page 5

Members of Maplewood’s Public Works, Parks and Recreations, and Fire/EMS departments visited third graders in Alexa Griffith’s class as Edgerton Elementary on January 6 to share details about their jobs.

Melinda Coleman: City Manager ...............................(651) 249-2055 melinda.coleman@maplewoodmn.gov

State of the City 2017

Business leaders, elected officials and City staff came together January 12 for the second annual State of the City luncheon. More than 150 people attended that was highlighted by an address from Mayor Nora Slawik.

During her remarks, Slawik noted there were five times during 2016 when she said to herself, “this is it, this is the best thing that has ever happened to our City.”

- continued on page 3

Celebrate Maplewood’s 60th Anniversary!

Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave. FREE! No registration needed.

Maplewood turns 60 years old in February 2017. Come celebrate! The cultural history of this area is of course much older than 60 years, dating back to the Woodland culture and then to the Dakota peoples. But Feb. 26, 1957 is the date that residents of New Canada Township voted 5 to 1 to incorporate as the Village of Maplewood. Waldo Leubben, Chairman of the Township, became the first village mayor. Seventeen years later, the Village of Maplewood became the City of Maplewood as required

by Minnesota statutes.

Don’t miss this fun-filled Friday night celebration.

• It’s Free and no registration is needed.

• Delicious desserts!

• Maplewood History Trivia Contest – with PRIZES! • Century Homes Award • Book launch for the 60 Stories Project • Sing-along jingles from the 1950’s • Maplewood history exhibits 1950’s attire is encouraged – come as yourself or as a favorite 1950’s personage. Questions for the Trivia Contest are from the 60 Stories Project so visit (www.maplewoodmn.gov/60stories) to brush up on your Maplewood History.

FREE!

Maplewood

60th Anniversary Celebration

Dessert • fun TRIVIA • music BOOK LAUNCH • MORE!

FEBRUARY 24, 6:30 - 8:00 PM MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER 60th Anniversary 1957-2017

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Cont. from Page 1 - State of the City Those fives things were: • The March grand opening of 3M’s research and development building. At nearly a half-million square feet, the $150 million building will be home to as many as 750 researchers and scientists, keeping these jobs in Minnesota.

The City performed the building inspections and supported TIF funding for the project.

• In May, the Mayor attended the first annual Laugh-In event at the Maplewood Community Center. Laugh-In was part of Kid City, an arts program funded through a State Arts Board grant from the legislature The Laugh-In event included booths, performing artists and a joke swap contest between police officers and the City Council that had the audience in stitches. And what was the winning joke that a young man submitted to the police? “What sings and chews on trees? Justin Beaver.”

Maplewood Entrepreneurship & Innovation & Growth Award Recipient for 2016: Sherman Associates. Pictured left to right, Mayor Nora Slawik, Shane La Fave, Paula Beck, HEDC Chair Mark Jenkins

• In August, on a perfect summer day, the Mayor attended the ribbon cutting at Frost English Villages, an economic and re-development success story. She noted the first phase, built by Sherman and Associates, includes affordable rental apartments. Located on the site of the old Maplewood Bowl. It took nearly 10 years for the project to come to fruition. Phase Two will feature market rate senior housing near beautiful parks and the trails.

• Then, in October, which is Domestic Violence Month, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Jen Polzin, the CEO of Tubman Center East, came to a City Council meeting to tout the success of the City’s pilot domestic violence joint prosecution program. “The bottom line is we are working to crack down on domestic violence as well as break the cycle that can be so destructive to our families,” Slawik said.

• Also in October, the Mayor was part of a large group who visited Fish Creek to celebrate the new one-mile ADA accessible paved loop. Fish Creek, located at Carver Ave. and Henry Ln. in the south leg, is a gorgeous bluff top trail originally slated to be a housing development. She said it is now preserved by the City and Ramsey County as well as several other partners for the City’s families to enjoy.

Maplewood Community Contribution Award Recipient for 2016: Tubman Center East. Pictured left to right, Amanda Moses, Joanne Rice, Mayor Nora Slawik, Jennifer Dickinson, Jen Polzin, HEDC Chair Mark Jenkins

The Mayor explained she and her Council colleagues also made tough decisions in 2016 for the good of the City, including: the operations agreement between the Maplewood Community Center and the YMCA to stop the financial losses, approving a workgroup to look at the Maplewood Police Department’s use of force policy in the wake of the Philando Castile shooting in Falcon Heights, and leaving the Ramsey Washington Suburban Cable Commission to use that funding to form the City’s first Communications Department.

Finally, the Mayor outlined three actions she, the staff and Council are eager to work on in 2017: • The City’s new Business Engagement Program (see article on page 6).

• Continuing the City’s vital work on racial equity efforts. The Maplewood Community Contribution Award Mayor noted Recipient for 2016: 5-8 Tavern & Grill. about 30 percent Pictured left to right, Mayor Nora Slawik, of Maplewood’s Jill Skogheim, HEDC Chair Mark Jenkins 40,000 residents are people of color and one of the City’s major goals is to have a staff that better reflects the community as a whole.

• The City’s upcoming Fire Station Locations and Operational Review process, with the goal of thoroughly examining the already good Fire/EMS response times and the need for fire station investments.

In conclusion, the Mayor said, “As we move forward into the New Year, I would like to challenge each of you to seek out those common ties, search for those areas where we can work together, and continue to approach opportunities and obstacles with an attitude of shared discovery. I personally look forward to another year of working together with each of you to ensure a stronger, and even more successful and sustainable future for the City of Maplewood.”

February 2017 / 3

Keep It Flowing!

Members of the Maplewood Public Works team jet clean a City sewer line. Jet cleaning is an important element in making sure Maplewood’s sewer lines are in good shape.

The month of February brings a few things to mind: valentines, heart-shaped chocolates, a tantalizingly close view of spring and... sanitary sewer backup prevention.

While you might not think sewer backup prevention fits into February’s romantic theme, we do, because we love our sewer system and the role it plays in keeping our City safe and healthy.

“Residents really do play a key role in preventing sewer backups,” said Scott Schultz, Maplewood’s sanitary sewer superintendent.

Schultz and his team urge residents to dispose of the following items properly, rather than dumping them down the drain or flushing them down the toilet: • Diapers • Sanitary napkins • Wipes (any kind) • Rags or shop towels • Garage waste products like oil, grease, gasoline, and antifreeze • Household waste like ashes, grease, corrosives, glass, metals, paints, poisons, and solvents • Yard waste like sand, soil, and mud

Inflow and infiltration I & I is also a potential cause of sewer backups. I & I refers to clear water getting into the sanitary sewer system. This might occur through cracks or leaks in sewer pipes and manholes or from sump pumps incorrectly connected to the sanitary sewer system. Particularly during large rain events, I & I can cause the sanitary sewer system to overflow resulting in sewer backups.

“Because of the potential for I & I to create system issues, we have an ordinance that prohibits property owners from disposing of clear water into the sanitary sewer system,” Schultz said. “This includes water from any roof, surface or ground sump pump, or foundation drain.”

Sanitary sewer problems should be reported to the City of Maplewood’s Public Works Department.

“The City will work with you to identify the cause of the problem,” Schultz explained. “If there is a blockage in one of the City’s main sewer lines, the City will attempt to clear the blockage.”

The sewer line from your home, business or other property to the City sewer main is your responsibility. That means that you, as the property owner, are responsible for clearing any blockages. Property owners must schedule service and pay the cost of clearing any blockage located in the individual sewer line.

“It is important that your plumber notify the City prior to service cleaning so the main lines can be monitored to ensure roots or other debris that may be pushed out of your service do not backup the main,” Schultz added.

If you have questions regarding the City’s sanitary sewer maintenance program, sewer backup response or a specific incident, contact the Public Works Department at (651) 249-2400 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Outside of regular business hours, sewer backup calls can be reported to the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (651) 767-0640.

Good Luck, Rick!

The City of Maplewood said goodbye in January to Rick Nordquist, who served the City for nearly 23 years. During his time in Maplewood, Rick worked as a utility maintenance worker in the Public Works Department and as a maintenance worker in the Parks Division of the Public Works Department.

“Rick wore a lot of hats in the Public Works Department, Public Works Director Michael Thompson, said.” His dedication to the department was always appreciated and we wish him well in retirement.”

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Nordquist, left, is seen here with Jim Schindeldecker and Dave Edson, putting the final touches on the Joy Park Pier.

2017 Maplewood Spring Clean Up

Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Aldrich Arena, 1850 White Bear Avenue The Spring Clean Up provides Maplewood residents a way to dispose of or recycle items that are not accepted in the regular trash service. Items accepted include appliances, electronics, bulky metals, tires, furniture (including mattresses), carpet, bicycles, household hazardous waste, and unused or unwanted prescriptions. Residents can bring sensitive documents (bank and credit card statements, medical records, etc.) and have the documents shredded for free. Document Shredding runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Residents are encouraged to bring a food or cash donation to support Second Harvest Heartland, a local food shelf.

2016 Spring Clean Up

For a full list of items accepted and fees, visit the City of Maplewood’s website at www.maplewoodmn.gov/ cleanups or contact Chris Swanson, Environmental Specialist, at chris.swanson@maplewoodmn.gov or (651) 249-2305.

Electronics recycling at the Spring Clean Up

Cont. from Page 1 - 2017 Budget

and Property Tax Levy

The City will also invest in park improvements in 2017, including the replacement of the main building and the addition of meeting rooms and parking facilities at Wakefield Park.

You’ve always said you wouldn’t be caught dead in that dress.

You’d better tell them now.

Property taxes provide approximately 63% of total revenues for the governmental funds of the City. The largest category of expenditures is public safety, making up about 52% of current (operating) expenditures. Property taxes will also support two of the City’s enterprise (business-type) funds in 2017.

The Ambulance Fund and the Community Center Fund will receive an infusion of cash from the property tax levy to help alleviate deficit cash balances. Both programs have been restructured to improve efficiencies and curb future operating losses. See insert for more information. © adfinity

Questions on the budget can be directed to City Manager Melinda Coleman (651) 249-2055 or Finance Director Ellen Paulseth (651) 249-2902.

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February 2017 / 5

2017 Trash and Yard Waste Collection Rates

The City’s residential trash and yard waste collection contract with Republic Services allows for a rate adjustment annually based on changes to the Consumer Price Index, Indexed Diesel Prices, and tipping fee (fee charged to haulers to dispose of trash at the Resource Recovery Facility in Newport). The new rates are reviewed by the City Council in December and go into effect April 1 of each year. The 2017 trash collection rates will be adjusted as follows:

Total Monthly Trash Hauling Rates ($.75 cart fee & taxes - 9.75% county and 28% state)

Cart Size (gal.)

2015 2016 2017 20 (every other week) $7.02 $6.70 $6.61 20 (every week) $9.53 $9.12 $8.99 32 (every week) $10.85 $10.44 $10.32 65 (every week) $12.16 $11.73 $11.61 95 (every week) $13.62 $13.19 $13.07

Amount of Change (2016 to 2017) minus $.09 minus $.13 minus $.12 minus $.12 minus $.12

Yearly yard waste subscription will be adjusted from $79.90 to $80.97 per year, an increase of $1.07 The new rates go into effect April 1, 2017. For more information, visit the City’s residential trash webpage at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/trash or call Republic Services at (651) 455-8634.

Maplewood Is Engaging with Business Community Earlier this year, Maplewood began working with the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce on a project to visit several businesses in the community to gather their thoughts and concerns about conducting business in Maplewood.

“The purpose of the visits is to give the City a chance to speak with business owners to really get a sense of what issues they care about,” said Michael Martin, Maplewood’s economic development coordinator.

Each business visit will include a member of the City Council, the City’s volunteer Housing and Economic Development Commission, and a staff member.

“It’s a Council goal to better communicate and interact with the City’s businesses, and these visits are a way to get out of City Hall and into the community to understand what is happening in the City,” Martin added.

In working with the chambers of commerce, the City has identified 25 businesses to meet with. For this year’s effort, the City is focusing on businesses that are experiencing the highest growth potential. Retaining and facilitating the expansion of existing businesses is an important component of the City’s plan for economic development.

With the increasing scarcity of resources at the local level, focusing on the growth of existing businesses, is more efficient than enticing a new business to move into the community.

“We really want to ensure we understand the needs of our

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business community so they continue to grow right here in Maplewood,” Martin said.

Additionally, certain companies are so important to Maplewood’s overall health, that annual visits will be established. Annual visits will include 3M, HealthEast (Saint John’s Hospital) and Washington Prime Group (owner of Maplewood Mall).

“These businesses will be able to tell us about the trends they’re seeing throughout the Twin Cities and the state and what we can do to embrace those trends here in Maplewood,” Martin noted.

City officials will meet with businesses throughout the spring and at the conclusion of the visits the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce will aggregate the data.

“The Chamber will then provide analysis of the results to help guide potential City Council policy decisions and to better foster an environment for business growth,” Martin said.

The goal is to include the results of the business visits in a larger discussion during the City’s annual Community Engagement Breakfast in October.

“At the breakfast, we’ll share what we’ve learned and will also discuss potential strategies to make Maplewood an even better place to do business,” Martin explained.

Visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/outteach for more information on the Business Engagement Program and other business opportunities.

Councilmember Marylee Abram’s Q&A 1. What is the biggest current issue you’re working on as a Councilmember?

This year, the City’s $70.2 million dollar debt is the biggest current issue for the Council. The debt is an accumulation of many years and many decisions from past Councils. Some of the debt goes back to decisions made well over 20 years ago. While we have inherited the financial burden, I am not blaming anyone and am focused on what we can do now to pay down the debt, and insure a solid financial future for our City. We are chipping away at the debt, and I believe we can make some significant headway with the guidance of our new Finance Director Ellen Paulseth. Previously, no fiscal financial planning was done that anticipated things like the Community Center needing a new roof, or City Hall needing a new air exchange. In 2015, we initiated an asset management plan that evaluated all City assets, identifying useful life and replacement needs. We can now anticipate large expenditures and plan ahead, rather than just react to problems as they come up. This year Ms. Paulseth will be assisting the Council in developing a debt policy to establish guardrails on City spending and debt load.

I am not comfortable with our current debt levels and want to see us set solid sustainable financial guidelines for the future.

2. With a look further in 2017, what Council projects or initiatives, are you eager to work on?

This year, I am eager to work on further developing our own Communications Department. In 2015, the Council voted to withdraw from the local Cable Commission, taking our communications destiny into our own hands.

We are literally creating a new department from the bottom up. In 2016, we worked on staffing the Department with the hiring of Chad Bergo and George Fairbanks. They are in charge of all communications on behalf of the City, from Maplewood Living to tweeting the latest and greatest

City news. I see this year’s goals as fine-tuning the budget, renegotiating our agreement with Comcast and CenturyLink, and clearly defining the mission of Maplewood communications. I am also eager to get going on our Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) project in conjunction with the White Bear Area Chamber and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. We are meeting with our local businesses to learn more about them and ask how the City can help them succeed and expand in Maplewood.

We are starting the process by collecting data through in-person meetings. The data will be compiled to give us a snap shot of our business climate. We will be meeting with a variety of businesses throughout 2017, and reporting back on our findings. A solid business sector creates jobs, supports families, and contributes to the success of our community.

3. What have you been hearing lately from residents?

I really enjoy being approached by citizens out and about in the community. I rarely go into Costco or Maplewood Mall without someone stopping to chat about city business.

Residents are confirming for me they are pleased with the stability they see in our city government, the quality of city services, and the increased visibility of new businesses springing up in Maplewood. I sense our citizens are optimistic about 2017 and pleased about the direction and pace of progress of the Council and Mayor Slawik. I know I am!

Maplewood Historical Society’s Book Release Party!

At Maplewood’s 60th Anniversary Event

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STORIES of

Maplewood History

GREAT SMILES START HERE! cleanings • root canals • Invisalign dental implants • tooth-colored filling • same-day crowns teeth-whitening • and more 1736 East Cope Avenue, Maplewood

(651) 770-3831 maplewooddental.com

Friday, February 24 6:30 pm at Maplewood Community Center 2100 White Bear Ave. Purchase this newly released book at the book launch or online.

Book: $15.00

Presented by: Maplewood Area Historical Society

MaplewoodHistoricalSociety.org

MAPLEWOOD

DENTAL ASSOCIATES, P.A. DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

60th Anniversary 1957-2017

February 2017 / 7

City of Maplewood 1830 County Road B East Maplewood, MN 55109 Phone: (651) 249-2000 www.maplewoodmn.gov

********ECRWSS** RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

Upon request, this newsletter will be made available in an alternate format.

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Energize Your Congregation!

Energy Challenge – And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to the Salvation Army for winning the Energize Your Congregation!

Energy Challenge.

Throughout the three-month The Salvation Army helps Salvation Army – residents with a wide Lakewood Worship challenge, the range of needs including and Service Center Salvation a food shelf 2080 Woodlynn Ave. Army earned 58 points for the following energy actions: five energy efficiency tabling events, 28 Home Energy Squad visits, and one energy audit for their building.

For their energy saving successes, the Salvation Army will be treated to a free party catered by the 5-8 Tavern and Grill with games, prizes, and a special visit by Tolby the giant energy saving firefly.

Ten local congregations participated in the challenge.

All congregations should be congratulated on reducing energy, saving money, and being good stewards of the earth! Through their efforts the challenge has resulted in a total of 53 Home Energy Squad visits, one home energy audit, two subscriptions to Xcel Energy’s Windsource, and four congregation energy audits.

For more details on the challenge and how your congregation can reduce energy and save money, visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/energizeyourcongregation.

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Minimum loan amount of $25,000. See table for monthly payment examples.